Neither Honey Nor Honeybee: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

Outfit Post: Drape

This dress/top is a new silhouette for me. I bought it with trepidation in December but have since grown to love it, although it has yet to be warm enough to wear it on its own. While the oversize dolmen sleeves are nice and drapey, the hem narrows at the knees, allowing me to pull it up to my hips and wear it as a top.

I fell completely in love with this necklace this weekend and had to have it. I foresee its appearance often.

Dress (worn as top!): Gap

Jeans: Gap outlet

Clogs: Avoca

Necklace: Accessorize

Oscar looks

No, I didn't watch the Oscars. I rarely do. But I do like checking out the red carpet looks afterward on T.Lo. Here are a few of my favorite looks.

PERFECTION. A hot girl in a hot tux with hot shoes? Yes, please.

Annette Benning is a fox, folks. I have had a crush on her since The American President and she just keeps encouraging it.

Everyone on my blogroll is talking about this look for good reason. Cate looks fab here in a way lesser mortals would not.

I realize Hailee here is, like, an infant, but I think this might be my dream wedding dress. It's so floaty! And I'm completely in love with the sweetheart neckline + mesh/lace tank look.

Outfit Post: Sleepover

I'm glad I like this dress, because I ended up wearing it two days in a row and sleeping in it in between when I had an unplanned slumber party up in Belfast. Also, I need to start pairing it with other cardis but I love the teal color with the floral print.

Dress: Monsoon

Cardi: Penneys

Tights: Penneys

Boots: Aldo

Friday, February 25, 2011

Gallery visit of the week: Paul Seawright at Kerlin Gallery

Paul Seawright is one of the most well-known contemporary photographers to come out of Northern Ireland; his work in Belfast in the 80s and 90s helped viewers re-define the narratives of the Troubles. More recently, he spent time in Afghanistan for the Imperial War Museum and did work in north Africa on slum cities. His series Volunteer, shown at the Kerlin Gallery, Dublin, is his attempt to re-frame ideas of the Iraq war, looking at it in his signature oblique style. He traveled across the United States, photographing sites of Army Recruitment offices. The photographs are stark and often devoid of human figures; they speak of the fear of loss many families with soldiers face, the last resort the army represents to many recruits, and the current economic despair facing many in America.

Container, Paul Seawright, 2011

Trailer Park, Paul Seawright, 2011

I visited the exhibition for a talk with the artist. Seawright spoke very eloquently about his desire to make images about the war without depicting the war; his works are more about the tensions between the state and the people, about the reasons for joining the army by ordinary people, which usually has little to do with the reasons for the war espoused by the government.

When walking in, I didn't actually know that this series was taken in America, but he manages to capture scenes that are, if not iconically, at least recognizably American. The first image I saw (unfortunately I don't have an image of it) was a surprise, as it was so clearly a scene of a small-ish midwestern town, without there actually being any specific labels. As an American, it was interesting for me to look at each image and identify the visual vocabulary through which the scenes were marked as American and more specifically as Southern, Midwestern, etc.

I've written about Seawright's work extensively before, having used many of his Belfast series for my undergraduate thesis. It was a pleasure to hear him talk about his work and describe his experiences in the states as an outsider, given that so much of his earlier work was dependent on his status as an insider interrogating his own upbringing and experiences.

Outfit Post: Silhouette

This is a decidedly basic look for me, in terms of the all-neutral colors. The silhouette is classic me, though! I love this new basic navy scoop-neck I picked up yesterday at Penneys. Three euro, not too bad!

Top, skirt, tights: Penneys

Shoes: DSW

Bracelet: souvenir from Greece

Necklace: graduation gift

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Outfit Post: Spring shopping

It was gorgeous out today and after finishing up a bit of research work I walked about and did some shopping.

Top: Gap

Skirt: Target

Pennyfarthing necklace: Target

Tights: Penneys

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Outfit Post: Relief

Yesterday I finished my last presentation for the year! Many of my classmates also finished up their dissertation presentations so we went out of a "few" drinks after class. Ahem. A few.

Top: Anthro

Skirt: Vintage

Belt: Avoca

Tights: Penneys

Shoes: Anthro

Monday, February 21, 2011

Outfit Post: Edge of Love

This outfit is directly inspired by Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller's costumes in The Edge of Love. I am on the lookout for a more sedately colored floral skirt to go with this jumper/shoes combo, though, as I don't think the bright magenta in this dress quite works.

Sweater: Gap

Belt: Avoca

Dress: Monsoon

Tights: Penneys

Shoes: Seychelles

Missed out: Love band

Kind of sad to have missed out on this vintage I Love You ring - gorgeous!

Sold at Brook Farm General Store, as seen on Camp Comfort.

Bookgasms for today

Library of Parliament Reading Room

George Peabody Library

Literary bar in West LA: Picture brass reading lamps, a bar menu printed on textured paper, oversized bookshelves jammed with books and guest checks issued in miniature novels, and you get an idea of the detail that went into designing this literary bar. With a cozy fireplace and plenty of comfy seating, you can easily while the night away until last call. 10929 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064 (West L.A)

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Outfit Post: Dahlias in bloom

It was a lovely gorgeous springish day out today, so I took the opportunity to wear a lovely gorgeous springish silk dress.

After dark, I added a cardi and boots.

Dress: Anthro

Cardigan: H&M

Tights: Penneys

Belt: Anthro

Flats: Urban Outfitters

Boots: Aldo

Friday, February 18, 2011

Outfit Post: Bunnies on a Rainy Day

It was foggy and overcast outside today, so I wanted something cheerful to wear. Cue bunnies + polka dots!

PS: How old is too old to wear a dress covered in bunny rabbits? I'd like to know how many years I have left!

Dress: Erin Featherstone for Target

Cardigan: Penneys

Belt: Gap

Tights: Penneys

Flats: DSW

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Outfit Post: Joanie

I had a big presentation yesterday, and polka dots and gold shoes helped me conquer it! Love this new top; the navy means it goes with pretty much everything in my wardrobe.